Flushing apparatus



Dec. 15, 1970 F. H. MIDDLET ON 1 5 I FLUSHING" APPARATUS Filed June 24, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mb 26 IO ,20 :1; -1i./*- 1 H l9 2| INVENTOR.

FREDERIC H. MIDDLETON ATTORNEYS.

I 4! 71 eez 4s/ Dec. 15, 1970 F. HQ MIDDLETON 'FLUSHING APPARATUS Filed June 24, 1968 III 'I'Ill' (a v INVENTOR. v FREDERlC 'H. MIDDLETON BY JMJJ, YMWJ, 4M4

ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,546,714 FLUSHING APPARATUS Frederic H. Middleton, 2025 Keeaumoku St., Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 Filed June 24, 1968, Ser. No. 739,273 Int. Cl. E03d 1/10 US. Cl. 4-48 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An improved flushing apparatus for use in a toilet or the like comprising a tank, a flush pipe with means enclosing the upper end of the flush pipe with a pocket of air, and means for reducing the pressure in the enclosing means so that water admitted to the lower end of the enclosing means will be siphoned into the flush pipe. One means for reducing the pressure of the air in the enclosed area comprises an outer pipe concentric with the flush pipe with a cap closing olf its upper end whereby telescoping of the outer pipe about the flush pipe increases the enclosed area to reduce the pressure therein to cause siphoning of fluid into the flush pipe. The cap has an air bleed hole and means for opening and closing same to control the admission of air into the cap during siphoning of fluid into the flush pipe and during the refilling of the tank with fluid after the siphon has been broken. Another means for reducing the pressure of air comprises an eductor system connected to the cap which will draw out the air in the enclosed area above the flush pipe to cause siphoning of fluid into the flush pipe.

This invention relates to an improved flushing apparatus for use in toilets or the like and particularly to a novel flushing apparatus of the type where the flushing fluid is siphoned into the flush pipe.

In prior flushing apparatus, a valve and valve seat are provided at the bottom of a tank of water or other flushing fluid. The valve is connected to a flushing handle by means of a mechanical linkage. When flushing is desired, one merely operates the handle to lift the valve and the fluid will flow out of the tank. A float operated valve connected to a source of flushing fluid is usually provided in the tank which will be opened when the fluid in the tank has fallen to a certain level. The float operated valve will remain open until the tank is refilled after the valve is re-seated on the valve seat.

The use of a valve on a valve seat has not proved altogether satisfactory. After a period of continued use the valve and the valve seat do not provide a good seal and water will leak from the tank into the flush pipe. When this occurs, it is necessary to replace the valve and/ or the valve seat.

To overcome this problem a flushing apparatus has been proposed which does not use a valve or valve seat, but instead utilizes air as a seal to prevent flushing from the tank to the connected bowl of a water closet until the pressure of the air has been reduced.

One such flushing apparatus provides a Water tank with a flush pipe extending up into the tank and a siphon trap disposed at the lower end of the flush pipe. An outer pipe with a cap closing off the upper end thereof is disposed about the flush pipe, so as to trap a pocket of air above the flush pipe. The lower end of the outer pipe opens into the tank above the bottom, thereof. A lever actuator is connected at one end to the cap and at he other end to a flush handle. When the cap was lifted, the air pressure in the pocket of air trapped inside the cap is reduced and fluid in the tank is siphoned into the flush pipe. With this apparatus, the top of the flush pipe and cap can be disposed either above or below the normal ice level of fluid in the tank. Once the siphon is started, it will continue until fluid is drained from the tank to a point where air is admitted at the lower end of the outer pipe to break the siphon.

A disadvantage to this apparatus is that after the siphon has been broken and the tank is refilled, a larger pocket of air is now trapped within the capped outer pipe and it will have to be lifted higher on the next flushing opera tion in order to initiate siphoning.

One solution to this problem which has been suggested is to provide a small air bleed hole in the top of the cap so that air can be bled out of the cap during and after refilling of the tank whereby the level of the fluid in the outer pipe will eventually rise to the level of the fluid in the tank. However, a small bleed hole easily becomes clogged whereas a larger bleed hole will not provide the required reduced pressure in the air pocket when the cap is lifted during flushing.

It is therefore a general object of this invention to provide an improved flushing apparatus which does not utilize a valve and valve seat for admitting flushing fluid from a flush tank or water closet into a flush pipe, but instead utilizes a siphoning action for admitting flushing fluid into the flush pipe, and which includes means for enclosing or trapping a pocket of air above an open upper end of the flush pipe extending up into the tank and means for reducing the pressure of the pocket of air to initiate siphoning of fluid from the tank into the flush pipe including air bleeding means, the opening and closing of which is controlled by the means for initiating flushing.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved fiushing apparatus including means for enclosing or trapping a pocket of air above an open end of the flush pipe extending up into the tank, and means for withdrawing air from the pocket of air to initiate siphoning of fluid from the tank into the flush pipe.

A more specific object is to provide a flushing apparatus comprising a tank normally holding a supply of flushing fluid at a preselected level, and a flush pipe having an open upper end extending up into the tank and a lower end normally filled with a small amount of flushing fluid, a siphon pipe disposed in a generally upright position in the tank and having a lower end and an upper end, the siphon pipe extending below the preselected level of fluid in the tank and opening at its lower end adjacent the bottom of the tank, the upper end of the siphon pipe being in communication with the upper end of the flush pipe, means enclosing the area of communication between the upper ends respectively of the siphon pipe and the flush pipe with a pocket of air, means for initiating flushing including means for reducing the pressure of the air in the enclosed area to thereby cause siphoning of fluid from the tank through the siphon pipe into the flush pipe, means for refilling the tank with fluid when, by the admission of air to the lower end of the siphon pipe, the siphon is broken, and air bleeding means in said enclosing means and comprising an air bleed hole, the opening and closing of which is controlled by the means for initiating flushing.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved flushing apparatus including a capped outer pipe enclosing or trapping a pocket of air above the open upper end of a flush pipe extending up into the tank, an air bleed hole in the cap into which is fitted a lift rod, and a collar seal disposed on the lower end of the lift rod with the other end of the lift rod being connected to a lever actuator.

When the flush handle is moved so as to lift the lift rod, the collar seal at the lower end of the lift rod will come into contact with, and close olf, the air bleed hole. Further lifting movement of the lever actuator will lift the now sealed cap and outer pipe above the flush pipe causing a siphoning of the fluid into the flush pipe.

Furthermore, the friction at the fulcrum connection of the lever actuator can be dampened so that upon release of the flush handle at the other end of the lever actuator the lever actuator will descend slowly to its at rest position. This slow dampened downward movement of the cap will prevent breaking of the siphoning action. Also to prevent air from leaking into the cap via the air bleed hole to break the siphoning action when the flush handle is released, a second collar seal is provided on the lift rod above the cap. When the lift rod descends under force of gravity, the second collar seal will settle upon the top of a cap in a manner closing off the air bleed hole.

The lever actuator can be so balanced about its fulcrum that only a slight downward force is exerted on the second collar seal when the lever actuator is at rest, whereby during refilling of the tank, the pressure of the fluid entering the outer pipe at its lower end will be sufficient to force the air in the cap out the bleed hole past the second collar seal. The fluid inside the outer pipe can then rise to approximately the same level of the fluid in the tank.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved flushing apparatus including an eductor or aspirator system to reduce the pressure in a pocket of air trapped or enclosed about the open upper end of the flush pipe, a capped outer pipe disposed substantially concentric about the flush pipe to trap or enclose the pocket of air inside the cap, an air bleed hole in the cap, and a tube connection from the air bleed hole to the eductor system.

The eductor system preferably comprises an eductor pipe with a valve at one end and the other end opening into the tank with a venturi section disposed between the ends of the pipe and connected to the tube connection. When flushing is desired, a flush initiating mechanism (such as a handle on a Water closet) is operated which will open the valve and admit fluid to the venturi section. The flow of fluid through the venturi sucks or draws out the air in the cap through the tube connection, causing fluid to be siphoned into the flush pipe for flushing. This eductor system is very effective since pressure in the cap is rapidly reduced and siphoning is rapidly initiated.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section view, partially schematic, through a flushing tank showing a flushing apparatus embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar section showing a flow of fluid in the flushing apparatus after the siphoning action has been started;

FIG. 3 is a similar section showing the lever actuator returned to its at rest position before the siphoning action has been completed;

FIG. 4 is a similar section showing the refilling of the flushing tank;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section view, partially schematic, through a flushing tank showing a modified form of a flushing apparatus embodying my invention;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section view, partially schematic, through a flushing tank showing a further modified form of a flushing apparatus embodying my invention;

FIG. 7 is a similar section showing the flow of fluid just before the siphoning action has been broken;

FIG. 8 is a similar section showing the air bleed path during the refilling of the flushing tank.

Referring to FIGS. l-4 a flush tank or water closet is indicated generally at 10. Flushing fluid, usually water, is admitted to the tank 10 from fluid outlet 11 which is connected to a source (not shown) of fluid under pressure and which is opened and closed by a fluid control valve 12. The valve 12 is operated in a conventional manner for example, by a float (not shown). A siphon trap is indicated generally at 13. The siphon trap 13 can be of any known configuration such as, for example, an inverted U-shaped pipe section in common use. The siphon trap 13 is illustrated here to show a flush pipe 14 with its lower end 14a normally filled with a small amount of the flushing fluid. The flush pipe 14 has an open upper end 14b extending up into the tank 10.

The flushing apparatus comprises an outer or siphon pipe 15 which is disposed about and around the flush pipe 14 in substantially concentric relationship to the flush pipe 14 whereby an annular area 16 is formed between the flush pipe and the outer pipe 15. A cap or cap means 17 is provided at the upper end 18 of the outer pipe 15 (preferably integral therewith) to close off the upper end 18 of the outer or siphon pipe 15. The cap 17 and upper portion 15a of the outer pipe 15 provide means for enclosing the area of communication between the upper ends 18 and 14b, respectively, of the outer pipe and the flush pipe with a pocket of air. The lower end 19 of the outer pipe is provided with port openings 20 for admitting fluid from the tank into the annular area 16. Preferably the outer pipe 15 rests or its supported on the bottom 21 of the tank. However, the lower end 19 of the outer pipe 15 could be supported above the bottom 21 of the tank 10 by suitable means (not shown) secured to the bottom or sides of the tank. In order that a pocket of air is maintained above the open upper end 14b of flush pipe 14, within the upper portion 15a of the outer pipe 15 and cap 17, the supply of flushing fluid in the tank is maintained in the tank 10 and outer pipe 15 at a preselected level 22 which is at a point just below the open upper end 141) of flush pipe 14. The cap 17 is provided with an air bleed hole 23 forming part of an air bleeding means 24. A lift rod 25 is disposed in said air bleed hole 23. Abutment means preferably a first collar seal 26 is connected to the lower end of said lift rod 25 inside said outer pipe 15. On the lift rod 25 at a short distance above the cap 17 is disposed a second collar seal 27. The distance between the two collar seals 26 and 27 is somewhat greater than the thickness of the cap in the area of the air bleed hole 23. The diameter of each collar seal 26 and 27 is large enough to close off and seal the air bleed hole 23 when the lift rod 25 is either raised or lowered. The upper end of the lift rod 25 is pivotally connected at 28 to one end of a lever actuator 29. The lever actuator 29 is supported on a fulcrum 30 at a point between the ends thereof. Means for initiating flushing, preferably a flush handle 31, is connected to the other end of said lever actuator 29. The lever actuator 29 is supported on the fulcrum 30 in such a manner that in the at rest or inoperative position only a slight downward force is exerted by the lever actuator 29 and the lift rod 25 on the second collar seal 27 to close off the air bleed hole 23.

When the means for initiating flushing is operated e.g. when flush handle 31 is moved downwardly (FIG. 2), the other end of the lever actuator will raise the lift rod 25 thereby lifting the first collar seal 26 into engagement with the inner surface of the cap 17 in the area adjacent the air bleed hole 23 closing off the air bleed hole. Further downward movement of the flush handle 31 will lift the cap 17 and outer pipe 15 connected thereto. With the air bleed hole 23 closed by the first collar seal 26, the pocket of air within the closed off upper end of the outer pipe 15 is trapped and leakage of air into the cap 17 via the air bleed hole 23 is prevented. As the outer or siphon pipe 15 is lifted, it is telescoped about the flush pipe 14 thereby increasing the volume of the pocket of air. Since no ambient air can leak into the cap 17 the pressure of the pocket of air is reduced. When this occurs the ambient air pressure upon the fluid in the tank 10 forces the fluid through port openings 20 into the annular area 16 and upward into the flush pipe 14. In other words, a siphoning action of fluid from the tank 10 through the annular area 16 into the flush pipe 14 is initiated. Fluid will be siphoned from thetank 10 until air is admitted to the port openings 20 at the lower end 19 of the outer or siphon pipe 15.

However, if the outer pipe 15 is lowered quickly, the rapid increase of air pressure in the upper end of the siphon or outer pipe 15 will break the siphoning action. To prevent this from happening, means (not shown) should be provided for dampening or slowing the downward movement of the lower actuator 29 after the flush handle 31 has been released. The dampening means could reside in a frictional pivot connection at the fulcrum 30 on any other known means for dampening rotary movement about a fulcrum.

After the flush handle 31 has been released and the outer pipe 15 has returned to its normal or at rest position with the lower end 19 of the outer pipe 15 resting on the bottom 21 of the tank 10, the second collar seal 27 will come to rest on the outside surface of the cap 17 in the area of the bleed hole 23 so as to close or seal otf the air bleed hole 23 (FIG. 3). With the air bleed hole 23 closed off by the second collar seal 27, leakage of air into the cap 17 is prevented. This is necessary since leakage of air into the cap 17 might break the siphoning action and, in any event, would tend to restrict the flow of fluid from the annular area 16 into the flush pipe 14. After the siphon has been broken by the admission of air into the port openings 20, the tank 10 will refill with water to the preselected level. The fluid control valve 12 is turned on as soon as the level of the fluid in the tank 10 has been reduced a certain amount below the preselected level. As mentioned above, a float (not shown) can be utilized to operate the fluid control valve 12. The rate of fluid flow from the fluid outlet 11 is much smaller than the rate of fluid flow through the flush pipe 14 so that after the fluid control valve 12 is opened only a small amount of the fluid will be put into the tank during the siphoning of fluid out of the tank 10 into the flush pipe 14. Thus, even with fluid control valve 12 open, the level of fluid in the tank 10 will continue to be lowered until air is admitted to the port openings 20 to break the siphoning action. After the siphon is broken, the tank 10 will be refilled by the effluence of fluid from the fluid outlet '11 until fluid control valve 12 is closed. As fluid starts to fill the tank, fluid will be admitted into the annular area 16 via the port openings 20 at the lower end 19 of the outer or siphon pipe 15. At this point there is now a greater amount of air trapped within the upper portion a of the outer pipe 15 and cap 17 then before siphoning was initiated. The pressure of this trapped air is gradually increased by the pressure of the fluid flowing into the annular area 16. This increased air pressure against the second collar seal 27 forces it upwardly opening the air bleed hole 23 (FIG. 4). In other words, air will gradually leak out through the air bleed hole 23 past the second collar seal 27 during the refilling of the tank 10 and the fluid in annular area 16 will rise to substantially the same level of fluid in the tank 10.

It will be appreciated that the flush pipe illustrated in FIGS. l4 can also serve as an overflow pipe if the control valve 12 does not shut off. In other words, when the fluid level in the tank 10 rises above the preselected level, the pressure of the air in the air pocket within the upper portion of the outer pipe 15 and cap 17 will be increased. The second collar seal 27 then will be forced upwardly so that air can leak out of the cap 17. The fluid in the annular area 16 will then rise to approximately the level of the fluid in the tank :10. Since the preselected level of fluid in the tank and annular area 16- is just below the open upper end of the flush pipe 14, the rise in the level of the fluid will cause fluid to flow from the annular area 16 into the flush pipe 14. In this way, fluid will be prevented from overflowing the tank 10.

In FIGS. 58 a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated which utilizes means for withdrawing air from an enclosed area 39 above the upper end of a flush pipe 44 such as an eductor or aspirator system 38. A

fluid outlet is indicated generally at 41 along with a fluid control valve at 42 similar in structure and function to fluid outlet 11 and fluid control valve 12 shown in FIGS. l4. Likewise, a tank is indicated generally at along with a siphon trap at 43 similar in structure and function to tank lit and siphon trap 13. The means for enclosing the area 39 above the upper end of flush pipe '44 is shown in FIG. 5 as an inverted U-shaped pipe section 45 and is shown in FIGS. 68 as a capped outer or siphon pipe '55 similar to the capped outer or siphon pipe 15 shown in FIGS. 1-4.

In FIG. 5 a separate siphon pipe 46 is connected to or integral with one end of the U-shaped pipe section 45. The other end of the U-shaped pipe section 45 is connected to or integral with the upper end of said flush pipe 44. The U-shaped pipe section 45 has an air bleed hole 47 located at the outside of the bight portion of the U. A tube connection 48 connects the air bleed hole 47 to the eductor system 38. The lower end 46a of the siphon pipe 46 opens into the tank 40 at a point adjacent or near the bottom 61 of the tank.

In FIGS' 68 the outer pipe is closed off at its upper end 58 by a cap or cap means 57. The cap 57 has an air bleed hole 63, similar to air bleed hole 47, which is connected by tube connection 48 to the eductor or aspirator system 38. The air bleed hole 47 or 63 forms part of an air bleeding means 64.

Preferably the outer or siphon pipe 55 is disposed about and around the flush pipe 44 in substantially concentric relationship to flush pipe 44 whereby an annular area 56 is formed between the flush pipe 54 and the outer pipe 55. The cap 57 and upper portion 55a of outer pipe 55 provide the means for enclosing the area 39 of communication between the upper ends, respectively, of the outer pipe 55 and the flush pipe 44 with a pocket of air. The lower end 59 of the outer pipe 55 is provided with port openings 60 for admitting fluid from the tank 40 into the annular area 56. Preferably the outer pipe rests or is supported on the bottom 61 of the tank 40. However, the lower end of the outer pipe 55 could be supported above the bottom of 61 of the tank 40 by suitable means (not shown) secured to the bottom or sides of the tank 40. In order that a pocket of air is maintained above the open upper end of flush pipe 44 within the upper portion of outer pipe 55 and cap 57, the supply of flushing fluid in the tank is maintained in the tank 40 and annular area 56 at a preselected level 62 (as in FIG. 6) which is at a point just below the open upper end of flush pipe 44.

The means for withdrawing air from the enclosed area 39 includes a short length of pipe 65 which may be referred to as an eductor pipe having an inlet end 66 and an outlet end 67. The pipe 65 also forms part of the air bleeding means 64.

In FIGS. 5-8 the means for withdrawing air from the enclosed area 39 is shown as comprising a venturi section 68 situated between the ends 66 and '6 7 of the pipe 65. The tube connection 48 is connected at one end to the venturi section 68 and at the other end to air bleed hole 47 or 63. The inlet end 66 of the pipe 65 is connected to a source (not shown) of flushing fluid under pressure by a control valve 71. Control valve 71 can be of any known type and can be operated by a plunger or lever mechanism.

In FIG. 5 the control valve 71 is of the type which has a lever arm 72 for opening and closing the valve. This lever arm 72 is pivotally connected at 73 to one end of a lever actuator 74. The lever actuator 74 is supported at a fulcrum 75 preferably situated at or adjacent a side of the tank 40. Means for initiating flushing, preferably a flush handle 76, is connected to the other end of the lever actuator 74.

FIG. 5 illustrates several modifications of the invention utilizing eductor system 38. Here, as mentioned above, the means enclosing the area 39 of communication between the upper end of the flush pipe 44 and the upper 7 end of the separate siphon pipe 46 comprises U-shaped pipe section 45.

Another modification resides in the fact that the pocket of air in the enclosed area 39 may be below the preselected level 52 of the fluid in the tank 40. This pocket of air then would be under a greater than ambient (atmospheric) pressure in order that the level of the fluid in the separate siphon pipe 46 is below the inside bight portion of the U-shaped pipe section 45.

The outlet end 77 of the short length of pipe 65 may be disposed below the preselected level 52 or 62 of fluid in the tank either above or below the point where fluid enters the siphon pipe 46 or 55. If the outlet of the short length of pipe 65 is disposed above the preselected level 52 of fluid in the tank, a check valve may be provided in the short length of pipe 65 between the venturi section 68 and the outlet end 67 to maintain the pocket of air. The check valve would have a closing force which is greater than the pressure of air in the enclosed area 39 and which is less than the pressure of the fluid flowing H through the short length of pipe 65 when the valve 71 is opened.

When the outlet end 77 of pipe 65 is disposed beneath the preselected level 52 or 62 of fluid in the tank (as shown in FIG. 5 a check valve may not be necessary to maintain the pocket of air in the enclosed area 39. Also by placing the outlet end 77 of pipe 65 near or ad jacent the bottom 61 below the point where fluid enters the siphon pipe 46 or 55 a reduction in noise during refilling of the tank 40 is obtained, i.e. there is no splashi ing in the tank 40 since the eflluence from the pipe 65 will always enter the tank below the level of fluid in the tank. However, there is no overflow control inherent in this arrangement and a separate overflow pipe is needed to prevent overflow of fluid from the tank if fluid control I valve 42 does not close when the fluid in the tank 40 reached the preselected level 52 or 62.

It has been found that a quicker and more elfective flushing is obtained with an enclosing means surrounding the upper end of the flush pipe 44 as shown in FIGS. 6-8. The enclosing means comprises the upper portion 55a of outer pipe 55 which outer pipe 55 is disposed in substantially concentric relationship about and around the flush pipe 44. The upper end 58 of this outer or siphon pipe 44 is closed off by cap 57. The level of the fluid in the annular area 56 is just below the open upper end of the flush pipe 44.

When valve 71 is opened, fluid is admitted to the short length of pipe 65 (FIG. 6). Fluid flowing through the venturi section 58 will create a suction reducing the pressure in the tube connection 48. The air and subsequently water is then sucked or drawn out of the enclosed area 39 through the tube connection 48 and venturi section 68 into the stream of fluid flowing through the short length of pipe 65.

When the level of fluid in the tank has been lowered a certain amount below the preselected level 52 or 62, the fluid control valve 42 will be opened and refilling of the tank will begin. However. the rate of fluid flow into the tank from fluid outlet 41 and the outlet end 67 of the short length of pipe 65 is less, preferably much less, than the rate of fluid flow of the fluid being siphoned into the flush pipe so that the level of the fluid in the tank will continue to be lowered until air is admitted at the lower end of the siphon pipe 46 or 55, to break the siphon.

In FIGS. 6-8 the outlet end 67 of the short length of pipe 65 is disposed above the level of fluid in the tank. This arrangement is preferred since after the siphon is broken and the tank 40 is refilled the flush pipe 44 can be utilized as an overflow pipe in the same manner as flush pipe 14 in FIGS. 1-4.

In one form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5-8 the closing of valve 7-1 is delayed until the desired amount of flushing fluid has been siphoned out of the tank. For example (referring to the construction shown in FIG. 5),

0 after the flush handle 76 is released, the lever arm 73 is not alowed to return immediately to its rest, i.e. closed position. Rather, some form of dampening is provided for retarding the closing movement of the lever arm 73 and lever actuator 74 under the force of gravity. The amount of dampening of the return movement of the lever arm 73 is such that fluid will continue to flow through the short length of pipe 65, after the means for initiating flushing, e.g. flush handle 76 has been released, until the desired quantity of fluid has been siphoned into the flush pipe and air is admitted to the lower end 59 of the siphon pipe 55. Only after this point is reached will the control valve 71 be closed. With this arrangement, the educing of air and fluid through the tube connection to maintain the siphon is continued throughout the flushing operation.

In another form of the invention illustratedin FIGS. -8 when the means for initiating flushing e.g. flush handle 76, is released fluid will stop flowing out the outlet end 67 of the short length of pipe 65. However, the length and diameter of the short length of pipe 65, the venturi section 68, and the tube connection 48, and the diameter of the outlet end 67, and air bleed hole 47 or 63 are so designed that the desired amount of fluid will be siphoned out of the tank before the fluid in the short length of ipe 65, venturi section 68, and tube connection 48, and subsequently air from the atmosphere is drawn or sucked into the enclosing means or a and 57) by the siphoning action (see FIG. 7). This arrangement could utilize a push button or plunger (not shown) instead of lever arm 72 to open the control valve 71. In other words, by pushing a button inward the valve would be opened to admit fluid in the eductor. When pressure on the button is released the valve would be closed and the fluid in the short length of pipe would be slowly drawn into the enclosing means. After all, the fluid is drawn out of the short length of pipe 65 and the tube connection 48 by the siphoning action, air could be drawn into the enclosing means so as to break the siphon. However, as discussed above, the eductor system is so designed that the siphon will be broken only when air is admitted to the lower end of siphon pipe 46 or 55, after the level of fluid in the tank has been lowered by the siphoning action below the lower end of siphon pipe 46 or below the port openings 60.

The air bleeding means 64 functions as the tank is refilled and fluid enters the lower end of the siphon pipe 46 or 59. When this occurs, air within the siphon pipe 46 or 55 and within the means (45 or 55a and 57) enclosing the area 39 of communication between the upper ends of the flush pipe 44 and siphon pipe 46 or 55, will flow out through the air bleed hole 47 or 63, tube connection 48, the venturi section 68 through the short length of pipe 65 and outlet end 67, to the atmosphere (FIG. 8). In this way the fluid in separate siphon pipe 46 or annular area 56 will rise to substantially the same level of the fluid in tank 40 e.g. the preselected level 62.

I claim:

1. In a flushing apparatus comprising a tank normally holding a supply of flushing fluid at a preselected level, and a flush pipe having an open upper end extending up into said tank and a lower end normally filled with a small amount of flushing fluid, the combination of a siphon pipe disposed in a generally upright position in said tank, said siphon pipe having a lower end extending below said preselected level of fluid in said tank and opening into said tank at a point adjacent the bottom of said tank and an upper end which i in communication with said upper end of said flush pipe, cap means on said upper end of said siphon pipe for enclosing the area of communication between said upper ends, respectively, of said siphon pipe and said flush pipe with a pocket of air, an air bleed hole in said cap means, means for lifting said siphon pipe to initiate flushing including a lever actuator and a lift rod having a first end connected to said lever actuator and a second end connected to said cap means, said lift rod extending into said air bleed hole, a first collar seal which is mounted on said second end of said lift rod within said cap means and which is adapted to close said air bleed hole when said lift rod is raised to cause siphoning of fluid from said tank through said siphon pipe into said flush pipe, and a second collar seal fixed on said lift rod outside of said siphon pipe and arranged so that, after said siphon has been established and said lever actuator has been released, said second collar seal will rest upon and seal off said air bleed hole to prevent air from leaking into said upper end of said siphon to break said siphon, and means for refilling said tank with fluid to said preselected level when, by the admission of air into the lower end of said siphon pipe, said siphon is broken.

2. A flushing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lever actuator is disposed on a fulcrum in such a manner that only a small downward force is exerted on said collar seal when said lever actuator has been released whereby, during refilling of said tank and said lower end of said siphon pipe, air, due to pressure within said enclosed area, is easily forced past said second collar seal, opening said air bleed hole, and thereby allowing air to be purged from said lower portion of said sip-hon pipe.

3. A flushing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lever actuator is provided with damping means to retard movement of said lever actuator after said lever actuator is released, to prevent the siphon from being broken by a sudden downward movement of said siphon pipe.

4. A flushing apparatus for use with a toilet including a tank for holding a supply of water at a preselected level, a flush pipe having an open end extending into said tank and a lower end normally filled with a small amount of water, an outer pipe having an upper end and a lower end, said outer pipe having a diameter larger than the diameter of said flush pipe and being situated about said flush pipe in substantially concentric relationship to said flush pipe to form an annular area between said flush pipe and said outer pipe, means at said lower end of said outer pipe for admitting water into said annular area, cap means for closing olf said upper end of said outer pipe with a pocket of air, an air bleed hole in said cap means, means for raising said outer pipe including a lever actuator having a first end and a second end, operating means connected to said first end of said lever actuator, said second end of said lever actuator being adapted to engage said upper end of said outer pipe, and a fulcrum supporting said lever actuator between its two ends whereby, when said operating means is moved to move said first end of said lever actuator downwardly, said second end will engage and lift said outer pipe, means for sealing said air bleed hole during lifting of said outer pipe relative to said flush pipe to cause siphoning of water from said annular area into said flush pipe, said air bleed hole sealing means also sealing said air bleed hole before movement of said lever actuator and after said lever actuation is released and being adapted to allow air to escape from said annular area through said air bleed hole when said tank is refilled with water, and means for refilling said tank with water to said preselected level after said siphon is broken.

5. A flushing apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said air bleed hole sealing means includes means for resting on said cap means in sealing relationship to said air bleed hole said resting means being adapted to be moved by the air compressed within said cap means during the filling of said tank to allow said air to escape so that said water, which is admitted through said means at said lower end of said outer pipe into said annular area, can rise to said preselected level within said annular area to ready said flushing apparatus for another operation thereof.

6. A flushing apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for sealing said air bleed hole includes a lift rod connected to said second end of said lever actuator abutment means on said lift rod adapted to engage said cap means at said upper end of said outer pipe when said first end of said lever actuator is moved downwardly, and

10 second abutment means on said lift rod adapted to rest on said cap means in sealing relationship to said air bleed hole when said lever actuator is released.

7. A flushing apparatus comprising a tank prefilled with a supply of water to a preselected level, a flush pipe having an open upper end extending up into said tank and a lower end normally filled with a small amount of water, a siphon pipe disposed in a generally upright position in said tank, said siphon pipe having a lower extending below said preselected level of water in said tank and an upper end which is in communication with said upper end of said flush pipe, means at said lower end of said siphon pipe for admitting water into said siphon pipe, means on said upper end of said siphon pipe for enclosing the area of communication between said upper ends, respectively, of said siphon pipe and said flush pipe with a pocket of air, an air bleed hole in said enclosing means, an eductor system including an eductor pipe having a first end and a second end, a first valve means connected at said first end of said eductor pipe and adapted to communicate said eductor pipe with a source of water, said second end of said eductor pipe opening into said tank, a tube having a first end connected to said bleed hole and a second end connected to said eductor pipe at a point between said ends of said eductor pipe, an operating means for initiating flushing by opening said first valve means whereby water flows through said eductor pipe to cause a drop in pressure in said tube to reduce the pressure in said enclosed area to cause siphoning of water from said siphon pipe into said flush pipe, and means for filling said tank with water including a second valve means which is connected to a source of water and which is actuated by means responsive to a drop in the level of water in said tank below said preselected level, the flow of water through said enclosed area being greater than the flow of water into said tank during said siphoning action whereby a volume of water at least equal to the volume in said tank between said preselected level and a lower level where water is admitted into said siphon pipe will be siphoned from said tank, while water is flowing into said tank, untl said siphon is broken by the admission of air into said lower end of said siphon pipe.

8. A flushing apparatus as defined in claim 7 including means for bleeding air from said enclosed area during refilling of said tank with water.

9. A flushing apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said second end of said eductor pipe opens into said tank above said preselected level of water and said air bleeding means is defined by said air bleed hole, said tube, said eductor pipe and said second end of said eductor pipe.

10. A flushing apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the length and diameter of said tube and said eductor pipe are such that when said operating means for initiating flushing is released and the flow of water through said eductor pipe is stopped, the water remaining in said tank above said lower open end of said siphon pipe will be siphoned out of said tank before the water in said tube and said eductor pipe, and subsequently air from the at mosphere, is drawn into said enclosed area, and said air drawn into said siphon pipe is purged from said siphon pipe through said air bleeding means during the refilling of said tank.

11. A flushing apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said operating means for initiating flushing includes means for maintaining said first valve means open after said operating means is released, whereby water will continue to flow through said eductor pipe to educe fiuid from said enclosed area, at least until said siphon is broken.

12. A flushing apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said enclosing means is situated below said preselected level of water in said tank and said pocket of air is at a greater than atmospheric pressure which is determined by the head of water in said tank above said water in said siphon pipe.

1 1 1 2 13. A flushing apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein 1,792,588 2/1931 Jaggard 443 said eductor pipe includes a venturi section between said 2,320,132 5/1943 Hoflmann 443 first and second ends thereof and said second end of said 2,700,163 1/ 1955 Sturman 449 tube is connected to said venturi section. 2,783,475 3/1957 Sturman 4-43 14. A flushing apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein 5 FOREIGN PATENTS said means for actuatlng said second valve means is arranged to actuate said second valve means to admit water 320,329 10/1929 Great Bntaln into said tank before said siphon is broken. 174,772 3/1886 France References Cited 10 LAVERNE GEIGER, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS J. H. DODGE, Assistant Examiner 1,015,719 1/1912 Thiry et a1. 443 U s c1 X'R,

1,382,028 6/1921 Sweeny 4-48 443 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 35U6Y1M Dated December 15. 970

In t flll) Frederic H. Middleton It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 22, cancel its" and insert --is-- Column 5, line 7 cancel "lower" and insert lever-- Column 10, line 3, after "lower" and before "extending' insert --end-- swan smfin H9 871 MAR. 9,1971

an m M MIMI!- ml. W, a

mom Marlow of Patents cnnu nn 1nr.n 110.66 USCOMM DC 60376 

